It all started with a mouse...

Hey friends. So sorry that this post is somewhat delayed. I've been pretty busy, and I just established an Internet connection yesterday.

I'd like to take this time to announce that I am an official Cast Member of the Walt Disney Company. That's right, be jealous. My dream is finally a reality. The past days have been interesting ones, and here's the rundown.

On Wednesday morning, I braved the cold to check in for the Disney College Program. I went through the lines and stations, and then ventured over to my apartment complex, Chatham Square. I started the move-in process, and I have some pretty cool roommates. There are two New Yorkers (not from NYC, but other parts), one from North Carolina, one from Iowa, and one from Ohio. There are two of us to a room, and we're getting along pretty well thus far.

I then went to catch the bus to Disney Casting to find out my position and take care of all the not-so-fun paperwork necessary for work. So a bus pulls up, and about fifteen of us new DCP participants hop on, and we are told that we are on the correct bus. At the next stop, the bus becomes filled with participants in the Disney International Program in their World Showcase costumes. As the sounds of at least five different languages flood into the tightly packed bus, we DCP participants begin to talk to each other and question our current situation. Guess what? We were on the bus to Epcot. We needed to be going towards Downtown Disney. Being late to Casting is not a great way to start out your employment at Disney World. Luckily, a bus going to the area was at the stop, and we were not alone in our bus mishap.

Casting went pretty well. I'll admit that the building is slightly overwhelming and intimidating, but it's not really that bad upon further investigation. I received my job assignment at Casting, and I will be working attractions in Future World East in Epcot. From what I've been told, the included attractions include Test Track, Mission Space, Universe of Energy (the one with dinosaurs, Bill Nye, and Ellen DeGeneres), and Spaceship Earth. Keep this in mind so you can come see me should you make it down to Florida to visit.

Thursday was a free day, so naturally, I went into Epcot with Catherine and Mama with the main intention of scoping out my possible job locations and costumes. This venture was very successful. We did Mission Space for the first time in probably three years or so. It was actually pretty pleasant now that it's been redesigned to have a less intense version. I think that's what I'll be sticking to in the future. The fam and I then went to the outlets to find solid black work shoes, an adventure that was much easier than anticipated. It was that night and with much sorrow that I had to say my goodbyes to Catherine and Mama.

This morning, I woke up literally before the crack of dawn to be on a bus at 6:45 to head over to Disney University for my Traditions class, which is mandatory for all Cast Members. It kind of serves as a welcome to the Disney family, and Mickey Mouse himself delivered our nametags. It was awesome.

After Traditions, my roommate Liz and I braved the intricacy of the transportation system to go to Magic Kingdom for the first time as Cast Members. I'm happy to report that no mistakes were made, and we made it to MK in one piece. We were so excited to get to use our Company IDs to get into the parks for the first time. Sad news: they didn't work. Apparently it takes a while for all the new Cast Member IDs to register in the system, but the nice turnstall man let us in anyway. This small devastation behind us, we worked our way through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. So it's still pretty chilly down here in Florida, and while we were on the Tomorrow Speedway, it started to rain. Not fun when driving an uncooperative tiny race car. And no SpectroMagic. Other than that, our visit to the Magic Kingdom was quite enjoyable, and I would say a lovely start to this time of free park admission and getting to use the Cast Entrance.

It's been a pretty cool couple of days, and I can't wait to continue on this journey. Tomorrow I head to Epcot for my park orientation, with location training to follow later. I should probably get to bed, another early morning tomorrow.